Malaysia steps in to host Bahrain F1 GP cancelled due to Middle East war

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The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was cancelled in April due to the Middle East war, will be held in Malaysia in early October, Formula One organisers have announced, AFP reports.

“Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that Malaysia will host the… Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit from October 2-4 2026,” F1 and motorsport’s world governing body said in a statement.

The original F1 calendar featured 24 races but those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled because of the war. Upcoming events in neighbouring Qatar and Abu Dhabi also remain in doubt.

Sepang circuit, to the south of Kuala Lumpur, returns to the calendar for the first time since 2017 to host what will be called the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia”.

“This is fantastic news for our fans. They will continue to enjoy a full and exciting Formula 1 calendar, while also seeing the sport return to a great venue,” said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali.